Cherry Limeade Cooler Cocktail Recipe
I find the Cherry Limeade Cooler so refreshing, plus it’s super easy to throw together. This drink uses fresh lime juice, cherries, vodka, and soda for a pretty balanced blend of sweet and tart flavors.
Equipment
- First up: a cocktail shaker, because you really want to mix everything well.
- A muddler is helpful for pressing the cherries and limes to get all the juice out.
- I use a jigger to measure each ingredient—otherwise I’ll just end up eyeballing it and sometimes that’s a gamble.
- A fine mesh strainer helps get rid of any fruit bits or pulp before pouring the drink.
- For serving, I pick a tall or highball glass.
- I also keep a long spoon nearby to give the drink a final stir, especially after adding ice or soda. It’s a small thing but it helps.
Ingredients
For one cocktail, here’s what I grab:
- Fresh cherries 4-5 pitted
- Fresh lime 1 juiced
- Vodka 2 oz
- Simple syrup 1 oz
- Lemon-lime soda 3 oz
- Ice As needed
- Lime wedge For garnish
- Cherry For garnish
I like to use fresh ingredients if I can swing it. Fresh cherries and lime juice just make the drink taste brighter.
Instructions
- First, I put the pitted cherries in the cocktail shaker and mash them with a muddler.
- Then I pour in the lime juice, vodka, and simple syrup.
- Next, I fill the shaker with ice and shake it hard for about 15 seconds. I
- use the mesh strainer to pour the mixture into a tall glass filled with fresh ice.
- Then, I top the drink with lemon-lime soda and gently stir with a long spoon.
- I finish by garnishing with a lime wedge and a cherry on the rim.
Notes
If I want a sweeter drink, I just add a little more simple syrup or soda. You can use sparkling water instead of lemon-lime soda if you want it less sweet.
Frozen cherries work fine if fresh ones aren’t around, especially when they’re out of season. For a stronger cherry flavor, sometimes I toss in a splash of cherry juice.
I always use plenty of ice to keep the drink cold. Skipping the shaking step? I wouldn’t—it leaves the flavors less blended and honestly not as refreshing.